CNBC: Big Oil dollars flow into Ukraine, despite conflict

Simmering conflict with Russia has not stopped a number of U.S. and European energy giants from recently investing or exploring investments in Ukraine's fledgling energy sector, according to a former Ukraine government minister who plays a key role in negotiating energy deals in the region.

Yuriy Boyko, an ethnic Ukrainian and former energy minister under ousted President Viktor Yanukovich, told CNBC that he has met with senior executives of Chevron, ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell and Halliburton about investments or potential investments in the country.

Boyko, who is running for president in Ukraine, is trying to encourage more American and European investment in Ukraine's nascent energy sector.

"It's very important for our country," he said. "We must provide more and more gas on our territory...to purchase less from other countries, especially Russia."
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